by Rebecca Bonilla, East Stroudsburg University
"Teens' Raising Drug Awareness" is a WebQuest that is helpful for many teachers who want to incorporate an important current issue into their curriculum. It is written for 8th to 12th grade students who are capable of doing research and using technology such as those in English or Sociology. This WebQuest gives students the opportunity to research, gather data, analyze information, and create spreadsheets regarding drug awareness in our schools. Students will be collaborating in groups to enhance their learning and social skills giving great importance to cultural diversity, legal, and ethical issues.
Introduction
For many children and adolescents school is a dominant part of growing up and much of their day is spent away from home. Going from elementary to middle and finally high school, students engage in many activities and adventures along the way. Unfortunately, this is also the time that many students are introduced into the world of habit and addiction. In reviewing the literature and websites learners should be able to grasp a good concept on the historically versus current trends in our society, the legal and ethical concerns for today’s youth regarding drug use, and the most common methods for prevention and interventions being tried in our schools for these new behaviors and developments. In today’s schools students should be able to relate their own personal experiences with drugs and/or addiction, while being educated on how to prevent abuse.
According to the U.S Dept. of Health- Young Adults Edition, 2008
- Percent of persons 12 years of age and over with any illicit drug use in the past month: 8.3% (2006)
- Percent of persons 12 years of age and over with marijuana use in the past month: 6.0% (2006)
- Percent of persons 12 years of age and over with any non-medical use of a psychotherapeutic drug in the past month: 2.8% (2006)
- Underage drinking costs the United States more than $58 billion dollars annually, enough for a new state of the art computer for every student.
- In the last thirty days 50% of teenagers report drinking with 32% being drunk at least on one occasion.